Bookshop & Wine Bar Rumor? Bob Dylan, Rockets & Best Breakfast in Redmond

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days!🐾 Redmond's Permanent Dog Park Is Getting CloserIf you've been taking your dog to one of Redmond's pop-up dog parks, here's some good news. The City says a permanent dog park is planned for Luke McRedmond Park, with construction currently expected to begin later this year. In the meantime, the seasonal dog parks at Luke McRedmond and Hartman Park are open and giving local dogs a place to run without a leash. The timeline could still shift because of other infrastructure work in the area, but it's the clearest sign yet that a permanent dog park is on the way. If you've got a four-legged family member, this is one project worth keeping an eye on.🏃 Operation School Bell 5K at Marymoor ParkThere's a 5K happening at Marymoor Park on Saturday, June 6, and every registration helps local kids get clothing, shoes, and school essentials. The Operation School Bell 5K starts at 9:00 AM near Baseball Field #5 and is designed for everybody, not just serious runners. Walkers, families, strollers, and first-time participants are all welcome. Registration is $40 through June 4 and includes a finisher medal, post-race refreshments, and access to the community celebration afterward. If you've been meaning to do something good for the community and get some exercise, this is an easy one.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Celebrate PRIDE at Farrel-McWhirter ParkRedmond is celebrating Pride with a Promenade Through the Park on Saturday, June 6, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Farrel-McWhirter Park. The event starts near the Barnyard before participants take a short walk through the park together. Afterward, there are farm animals to visit, crafts for kids, and a few special surprises for people wearing rainbow gear or Pride flags. Best of all, it's completely free and open to all ages. If you've got kids who love animals, this one checks a lot of boxes in a single afternoon.🎨 Warli Art Workshop at Redmond LibraryLooking for something different on Monday, June 8 Local artist Jheel Goel is teaching a Warli Art workshop at the Redmond Library from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Warli art comes from India and uses simple shapes and patterns to tell stories and create scenes from everyday life. Participants will learn the basics and make twodecorated coasters to take home. The program is first come, first served and limited to 20 people, so showing up early is probably a smart move. It's a nice break from staring at screens all day.🎵 Bob Dylan Comes to Chateau Ste. MichelleBob Dylan rolls into Woodinville on Saturday, June 6, as part of the Chateau Ste. Michelle Summer Concert Series. The show starts at 6:30 PM and also features Lucinda Williams and Her Band along with The John Doe Folk Trio. Whether you're a lifelong Dylan fan or just want an excuse to spend a summer evening at the winery, this is one of those concerts people will be talking about afterward. Gates open roughly 90 minutes before showtime, and these concerts tend to attract a crowd. Showing up early is probably your best bet.🚀 Rockets Over 60 AcresThe Washington Aerospace Club is hosting a free public rocket launch on Sunday, June 7, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 60 Acres Park in Redmond. Club members launch hobby rockets of all sizes, and spectators can watch everything from simple beginner builds to more advanced designs. The event depends on weather and field conditions, with a final go-or-no-go decision expected on June 4. If you've got kids who love science or adults who still act like kids around rockets, this one's worth checking out.📚 Local Author Celebration at Brick & Mortar BooksBrick & Mortar Books is hosting local author-illustrators Jennifer K. Mann and Corinna Luyken on Tuesday, June 9, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The event celebrates two new picture books, Good Morning, Morning! and Hello, Ocean!, and gives families a chance to meet the creators behind them. Both books focus on helping kids pay attention to the world around them, whether that's a quiet morning walk or a day at the beach. The event is free and open to the public. If your kids love picture books, this is a fun way to meet the people who make them.🕰️ Redmond History MinuteOkay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond.Before Microsoft moved to Redmond, one of the first tech companies in the city made something unexpected. What did Rocket Research Company (now Aerojet Rocketdyne) manufacture in Redmond starting in 1968?A) Satellite dishesB) Thrusters for NASA's Mars missionsC) Electric car batteriesD) Really fast bicyclesAnswer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter.🔮 Redmond Rumor MillHere's one that's making the rounds in Old Redmond.Word is that someone is exploring a bookshop-and-wine-bar concept for the neighborhood. The rumor says this wouldn't be a coffee shop that happens to sell wine. The wine would actually be the main attraction, paired with a rotating selection of new and used books. We've heard similar concepts have been doing well in Portland, but we haven't been able to confirm whether a location has been selected, who is behind it, or how far along the plans might be.If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post.🗳️ Your Picks: Best Breakfast in RedmondAlright, that's it for this week.Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best breakfast in Redmond.📻 Don't Miss the PodcastIf you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com.We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond.🎯 History Minute AnswerThe answer is B – Thrusters for NASA's Mars missionsRocket Research Company set up shop in Redmond in 1968, almost two decades before Microsoft arrived. They built thrusters that have been used on NASA's Mars missions. The very first tech company in Redmond was actually United Control in 1961, which made aircraft electronics. So before Redmond was building Windows and Mario, it was building rocket parts and avionics. The city's tech roots go way deeper than most people realize.